The Life & Times of a Modern Day Pharisee

With all the articles and quotes and even one or two books out there about the music in the church today, why write yet another blog post?

I don't know, really. I'm not trying to enter the battle that's raging over christian music today being worldly, unartistic, mediocre, or whether we should just do what we feel is right as musicians and let God do the rest. I don't really want to add another target out there for folks to attack, or to attack a target someone else has already put out. There are many times I want to though, because I do feel very strongly about this. But I'm going to do something uncharacteristic for me. I'm going to simply share my personal journey through this issue in a calm, collected manner and then let you, the reader, come to your own conclusion of whether or not a certain sound can be classified as godly or ungodly. And so, for your enjoyment, My Life Story In Music...
                                                             
Well, to begin, I was raised with music everywhere. In the house, in church, in stores, in the car, and, yes, sometimes even in the bathroom as a toddler while taking my bath (those Barney tapes were played to death). Other than the previously mentioned Barney tapes, the earliest genre I can remember hearing is Country. That's right. I grew up listening to some of the classic Country greats. At 6 years old I could've won a contest entitled "Voice Samples: Randy Travis or Alan Jackson". I knew the typical sounds of the guitars, fiddles, and dobros. So naturally, I wanted to play acoustic guitar. My parents also wanted me to play piano, but as a kid listening to Country, the desire just wasn't there. (I mean, what the heck do you use a piano for in Country music??)

There came a point though when my dad got rid of all the country CDs in the house. It was actually a good thing since at the time I was aspiring to be a Country artist (what else would I be?) and I just can't see myself up there now with Taylor Swift singing about his friends talking to my friends talking to him talking to me talking to my imaginary friend Phil who owns a nasty ol' pickup truck he never lets me drive... *ahem* Anyway, so what did came after that phase then?

The uptight Christian music phase.

I do not look back at this time with fondness or pride for my upstanding morals and boundaries. In fact, quite the opposite. It was a time of constantly praising one band or artist for their fantastic artistry of fitting the name God or Jesus into all 12 or 13 tracks of their album, or for managing to keep their guitar shredding down to a tasteful minimum. And it was also a time of excessive artist bashing. Don't mention God in one of your songs? "Ungodly!" Used the ambiguous You instead of actually saying Jesus? "Ungodly!" Created a funny music video that has nothing to do with spirituality? "Ungodly!" Mention the words "boyfriend" or "girlfriend" in a song or liner notes? "Ungodly!" Write a love song to your wife? "Ungodly!"

Seriously. These were all thoughts of mine. I was always told that living in righteousness was true freedom, but I felt no freedom at all. In fact, looking back, I felt like I was in bondage. A bondage of pride at how I alone seemed to be able to tell the godly bands from the "Ungodly!" ones. I alone was the one going to be the Christian artist who got everything right, because I alone knew what exactly was right. God, oddly enough, didn't even fit into the picture. To be truthful, I wasn't even a Jesus follower at the time. I was simply a skinny 12 year old pharisee.

As you can imagine, God had a LOT to work on in me.

Somehow a few years back, my parents' thoughts on the Christian music scene began to change slowly as mine... well mine went through a major overhaul. Naturally, the first thing God needed to change in me was my heart. I'm very thankful for the christian artist God used to show me that I was nothing more than a religious pain-in-the-neck with a filthy soul who had no desire for the REAL things of God. I finally began searching things out on my own in God's word. Yes, I began to FINALLY take God's word instead of my own, instead of my parents', and instead of my pastor's. I met the real Jesus (not the felt white man with the drooping solemn face I stuck on the felt board every Sunday School lesson) and He began to change me from the inside out.

So where does music fit in? Well, throughout all the difficult, trying, and just plain depressing circumstances I've been through during my relationship with Jesus, He decided to break down my legalistic laws and use the most interesting genres. Genres ranging from Punk Pop bands like Stellar Kart, to Hip Hop/Urban artists like Group 1 Crew, to hard rock groups like Fireflight. Songs from these artists in particular have spoken truth and comfort into my life and have challenged me in ways I had never been from other artists (who I am NOT saying are used any less by God).

So there you have it. My life story in music. As short as I could make it. You are now free to draw your own conclusions.

I'm Still Alive!

Hey everyone. Yes! I AM still alive. Been super busy with the holidays almost here. Plus a trip down to Florida, a performance of a Christmas song medley, and the planning of a short Christmas story are contributing to my full schedule. Thankfully though, I have time for a few fun things (hanging out with friends and family, video games, and drawing) as well as time to update my blog.

I would have loved to post about my first YouTube video, showcasing a cover, but unfortunately, I am not gifted with technical understanding (oh, you lucky Techies) and have not figured out why it's taking YouTube so long to upload a 4 minute video. But oh well, it'll come eventually.

And my book... Well, let's just say it's a long slow process and I apologize to my very patient friends for putting up with the wait. I am planning still on a Fall 2014 release of it though. Here's to hoping that it's well worth the amount of work and time put into it!

So, with so many of my projects being delayed, I wish I had something cool to show everyone, but... Wait! Maybe I do!

                                                                            Boom!

There it is, an epic picture to promote the book series Shadowmakers! This is, roughly, a sketch of a very mysterious assassin who appears in Book One: The Assassin's Trail.

So, a lot of exciting things to look forward to in 2014. (For me, at least)

Hope everyone has a great Christmas and New Year's (and New Year's Eve Game Party!). I know I'll be enjoying one of my favorite times of year! Now to continue listening to Sara Groves' excellent Christmas album: O Holy Night! :)

Writers Need People--Specifically People Like This

Hey everyone! This is a recent Facebook post from my brother, just in case you needed further proof that my family is awesome.

Story Time! Before I start I need to tell you about the awesomeness that is Quik Trip. Quik Trip is like the shopping mall of gas stations. It's huge, extravagantly designed, and has an array of food choices inside. Among them are the most amazing taquitos and the best frozen coffee I have found anywhere. The best part is, the food is cheap. It's like finding Hollister clothing at a Goodwill. It's that good!

It was 10:30 in the pm and I wanted donuts. Only problem is, nothing is open that late. I tried looking for something to good I could get around the area but found nothing. I suddenly remembered that a Quik Trip opened a little closer to where I lived. The last one was an hour away and this one was 45 minutes away. But I didn't care, I love Quik Trip and the last time I was there was a year ago. 

I left at 10:45pm and got there, bought my frozen coffee and two taquitos and proceeded to head back home. My night had been made! But, on the way back Mr. Deputy of Butts County stopped me because apparently I had a headlight out. And as every officer does, he asks where I was going and what I was doing out so late. After telling I was going home after driving 48 miles just to go to Quik Trip, he got suspicious. Mr. Deputy of Butts County couldn't believe I would drive 45 minutes just to go to a gas station. What I couldn't get him to understand was that I did not go to just any gas station. I went to THE Quik Trip. The place where the best taquitos, the best coffee, and the fastest customer service could be found.

Mr. Deputy of Butts County made it sound like I had driven 45 minutes just to get a pack of gum. You can't find the kind of frozen coffee or taquitos Quik Trip has anywhere else! He then proceeded to assume I was carrying drugs! I was offended! My appreciation for a certain kind of coffee and Mexican food was found suspicious and I was accused of carrying drugs! He didn't search my car, but he did ask if I had anything that he should know about and that if he did search the car and find anything I would be in trouble.

People can ride a unicycle through the city dressed as Gandalf playing the bagpipes, but my particular affinity for good frozen coffee and taquitos that you can ONLY find at Quik Trip is suspicious and therefore I must be carrying drugs. Thanks Mr. Deputy of Butts County.

Yep! :) This is why I'm a writer.

The Shadowmakers Are Coming! The Shadowmakers Are Coming!

So, after posting about my efforts at writing, I am actually going to post about the writing itself!

The Shadowmakers is a planned epic series following the fantasy kingdom of Ashethea--a land under the reign of a cruel tyrannical queen-- and the key characters involved in the struggle to overthrow said evil queen. I originally hoped for the series to consist of seven books, but we'll see. However long it takes to tell the full story--keyword being long.

I began writing it for my friend and editor (she's a pretty fantastic one too, I might add) whose favorite word happens to be "intrigue". Thus, this series contains quite a bit of intrigue, plenty of plot twists, and a plethora of engaging characters.

Want to know what happens when two children hire a guide who is really an assassin out to kill them? Check out the series! (When it's available...) Do you like plots that take completely different directions than what you initially thought, evoking gasps of surprise and few very-Darth-Vader-like "Nooooo"s? Check out the series! (When it's available...) Want to follow the adventures of an adventurous aspiring-hero boy, an unwanted runaway girl, a sarcastic dragon, an unnervingly calm teen, a mysterious quirky young man, and a talkative pudgy bird? Check out the series! (When it's available...)

So, OK, there's my spiel, my attempt to sell the series. In the opinion of my worst critic (Me!) it's just an OK attempt by a mediocre author. But my friends tell me it's pretty good, and I do have people shaking their heads at me because they aren't able to buy it yet. (which is entirely my fault due to how long it's taking me to finish book one.) Nothing inflates your confidence like thinking your book is a hopeless case, telling your friend about how you're feeling, and then getting that look--you know, the slight head tilt, the one narrow eye while the other eye twitches slightly--and hearing, "Yeah, whatever, your book's good. Wanna play a game?"

In any case, the story is pretty cool, and I'm doing my best to tell it right. I'll keep everyone updated every now and then on the progress of book one, which has a loose release date of Fall 2014. (I'm wincing at the reactions I just know I'll be getting from my friends on that one. I've been at this since 2011. 2011, people!) Sorry about the long wait for those interested. In the meantime, check back here for updates and news, and read all the better books out there. Happy reading until the Shadowmakers arrive!
     

Why I No Longer Say I'm Writing A Book

Long long long long long ago (at least, that's what it feels like), I used to proudly inform people that I was writing a book. Now?... I tell people I'm working on a book, and let's just say the proud tone has changed to one of weariness that seems to say, "Man, I can't believe I'm not finished with it yet..."

You see, I used to think it was easy to write a book. You think up a story, write it down, send it off to a publisher, and BOOM! You're an official author. But now that I've actually been at it for a while, I realize that first and foremost, it's work to tell a story on page. In fact, it's probably more work than it would be to forge all the swords and armor, sew the costumes, buy the props, act out the story with your friends for three days straight, and tell it that way. Anyone who's undertaken writing a book will know that this is no exaggeration. (If, by any miraculous chance, you do happen to be an author who finds writing easy, good for you, just please don't tell me so, lest I be provoked to jealousy.)

Yesterday, I was looking over what I thought to be the final draft of my book, and I knew almost at once that I'd need to write up a fourth draft. Needless to say, it was not a good day for me and I felt very discouraged. This brings me to say that not only is writing work, but it is emotionally, mentally, and sometimes physically taxing. If you've been able to write something particularly good on a certain day, it becomes one of the best days ever. But sometimes, ideas won't come, or you'll find an idea hard to put down on paper, and that's when the discouragement comes and maybe nothing else will seem right that day.

So what does a writer need to actually finish a book? Well, from my own experiences, you definitely need a strong sense of perseverance. Despite how excited you may be about an idea or story, there WILL be those spots that are tricky or just plain boring to write. (And then your editor comes back and tells you the boring, tricky part needs to be LONGER!) So perseverance is a must! You also need an understanding family who will sit and listen while you whine about how difficult chapter one was to write, who don't ask questions about something strange you say when your brain is 80 percent fried, and who will even keep you up to date on what Andrew Peterson says about writing a book. (thanks dad!) And, most important to me, a group of friends who are everything you need from test readers, editors, idea sources, characters, encouragers, listeners, fans, and an angry mob who will kill you if you don't finish the book.

So, all that being said, why would anyone want to undertake writing a book?

Because we are all need of stories. Stories have been an important part of humanity since before creation, when God so beautifully planned the most epic story of all time. And being made in the image of God, it's in our nature to want to create stories of our own. Even fictional stories, tales of things that never have or could happen in the real world hold a significance. Jesus Himself gave us some of the greatest truths in the forms of parables, or fiction. In the same way, our stories can reveal God and His truth in a different light, from the point of view of imagined characters and worlds. And if we can somehow show God in our fictional tales, then it's well worth whatever work we put into telling them.

Plumb: Need You Now

     

I know this is yet another review, but I read, play video games, listen to music, and watch movies a lot, so why not write reviews on that stuff? This time I'm taking a look at a CD that I've been playing almost nonstop for two weeks now.

After a hiatus of about five years, Plumb released her latest album Need You Now. This 13 track studio album showcases the unique style and writing that has set Plumb apart from many of today's artists and bands, as well as a few tracks where Plumb experiments with happier, more upbeat sounds. I'm going to break it down track by track, sharing my thoughts on each individual song.

So track 1: Invisible. Can I just say that the first track of any album is perhaps the most important. The rest of an album can be background noise, but I find myself listening to it over and over if the first track is something that captures my attention and, maybe even gets stuck in my head in a non-annoying way. Invisible is one of those tracks. The music is typical of Plumb's slightly mesmerizing synth and drum driven style. A song about how hard it can be to follow an invisible God sometimes. It's easy to hear Plumb's desperate cry to see God in her vocals, and the beautiful conclusion that even when we can't see God, we can feel Him there and, quite honestly, there's nowhere else we can or want to go but to Him. This track alone is worth the money for the entire album, but of course, there's more she has to offer.

Track 2: Drifting. Featuring Dan Haseltine's signature vocals, this is another of Plumb's musings on the feeling of being lost and without direction. For me, the track was nothing outstanding besides the vocals. Plumb's and Haseltine's voices blend together quite well and make this a decent, enjoyable track.

Track 3: Beautiful. A song written for her husband about what his encouragement really means to her. The lyrics are well written, and the vocals right on, but again, I feel as if the music is nothing special. It is a sweet song though, and I enjoy hearing it.

Track 4: One Drop. Be prepared to gasp in shock at the bouncy, happy sound in this track that is so foreign to Plumb's music. An uplifting song with a message of the church being stronger together than we are by ourselves. Showcasing the ever popular sound of the Ukulele, this song will have you tapping your foot and bobbing your head from the first note to the last.

Track 5: I Want You Here. OK, if you listen to this song and you're not feeling the urge to cry by the end of it, your headphones must not have been working. Fix them and listen to it again. A song written from the point of view of a mother who has lost an infant. Every line of the song is sung beautifully, Plumb's voice conveying the anguish and helplessness spot on. I can't think of another song where the vocals capture the mood and feeling of the lyrics as well as what she has managed to do in this track. An absolutely stellar song.

Track 6: Say Your Name. A song about a broken heart. The lyrics definitely capture the feeling, but after the exceptional job in the last track, the vocals just don't compare. All in all, it's a decent song. I do like the use of the auto tune in the vocals at one point.

Track 7: Unlovable. I really don't have much to say as this song feels like a filler to me, but the message is a good one. It's a call to the church to see and love others as Jesus does. The music is slower and a little more meditative than the other songs in the album, and it's worth listening to for the message.

Track 8: Need You Now (How Many Times). I'm pretty sure everyone has heard this song already, seeing as it's one of the most played songs on the radio, but I'll give my thoughts on it anyway. With a sound typical of today's christian music, it does manage to capture the desperate cry (yeah, it's a theme in her music) for God to take her out of a painful situation. I love how this song is written as a cry, almost a scream when most artists have used a slower sound for the same theme. A beautiful message and wonderful lyrics. It's easy to see how it made radio's top hits list.

Track 9: Chocolate & Ice Cream. Plumb must have had fun with One Drop because the same bouncy sound is back in track 9. A lighthearted song about the differences between her and her husband, yet how they go together like chocolate and ice cream. It makes for a fun, enjoyable track.

Track 10: Don't Deserve You. The first thing I think about when I hear this, is the relationship between God and man and how we really don't deserve to have God's love. Yet, he chases after us and gives us everything anyway. The music's not anything special, but I like the lyrics.

Track 11: Cage. From the first line, we know to expect another biting rock song that brings us back to the early years of Plumb. Quite honestly, I love the sound and the tune, but I'm at a loss as to what it means, other than, apparently, Plumb doesn't like cages.

Track 12: At Arm's Length. Again, I don't have much to say. Really, I can't even remember the tune, so obviously not a standout track. And the words are still something I'm trying to figure out. I think it's a song written for her husband, but not sure.

Track 13: I Don't Deserve You (with Paul van Dyke). A remix of the earlier track Don't Deserve You. It's nicely done with a techno dance feel to it.

Well there it is, my thoughts on the tracks. Overall, the album is great! It's just another reminder of why we love Plumb so much.  

Pokemon Y!

     

OK, I'm a nerdy Pokemon fan who can still remember seeing episode 1 of the TV show and collects the cards, games, toys, and comics. So I was excited to finally get my hands on one of the latest games on release day. (I didn't have a portable game system until I was 16 and bought a Gameboy Advance on ebay. It was like Christmas morning for me when my used copy of Pokemon Ruby Version arrived in the mail. So when I say "excited", we're talking nerdy-fan-dream-come-true here.) The version I reserved at Target was the Y version. I know Pokemon X sounds cooler, but when I saw the legendary pokemon for each game, I thought a predator bird was more appealing than a magical caribou thing, thus my choice. And so, my older bro came over and we spent the day playing X and Y. To celebrate the occasion, we made Pokeball sugar cookies (see below) and fortified ourselves in the family room to eat and play--and, yes, when my brother and I are involved with video games, to scream and laugh on occasion too.

A friend had recently asked me when the Pokemon Company was going to finally change their junky sprite graphics they've been using for years. Well, the answer is here, and I can say I'm highly impressed with the new 3D look of Pokemon. Many details have been added, such as animations for picking up the pokeball items and putting them into your bag, throwing a pokeball out in battle, and even bending down in a patronizing way to talk to the little kids. Pikachu has just become cuter too as his 16-bit static cry is replaced with a talking voice very much like the cartoon. The game's location, based on France, is a charming new region called Kalos. Sadly though, the 3D slider option is only available in certain instances such as cutscenes or battles. I don't think I would have minded if the Pokemon Company waited a little longer to release the games so that the entire game had the 3D option. The game is excellent enough as it is, and it's a shame they couldn't have gone all the way to blow fans' minds.

The new generation also has quite a few new awesome features including customization with your character! Not only can you choose the face your character has, (besides the whole creepy question from the prof. on whether you're a boy or a girl) but later in the game you can change your appearance even more with various clothing articles and even a salon to change hair style/color and eye color. Along with those features, there's the new Pokemon-Amie feature, an interactive tool that helps you bond with your Pokemon more. Players of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance will find it very similar to the Dream Eater interaction. New ways of transportation have finally been added! Roller Skates are just one new way of getting around, and they are a blast to use! But they come with a price. The circle pad from the time you receive them can no longer be used for just walking, and if you want to take it slow, you'll be forced to use the directional pad for the rest of the game.

Did Bianca and Cheren annoy you in Black and White versions? Well, this game will make you miss them both now that you've acquired not one or two, but four new weird friends. One of your friends apparently depends on your version or gender choice--not sure which, but the other three are the same for everyone. There's Shauna--an annoying overly cheerful girl who you will NOT be able to get rid of. Seriously, it seems like every time you enter a new area--THERE'S SHAUNA! Then there's Tierno, a balding kid who loves to dance--and you'll find yourself crying for him to stop when he does. Then there's...Trevor, whose hairstyle is frankly too pretty for a boy... And I won't even mention the professor, who my brother commented, could be a model for Banana Republic with his flashy hair.

And now about the new Pokemon. The best thing of any new generation is discovering new Pokemon. Well, after the hideous additions introduced in Black and White versions...the hideousness continues! I literally screamed in horror when one of my once cute pokemon evolved into an ugly cocoon thing. Fortunately, some pokemon are somewhat cute and/or cool, and I love the fact that you no longer receive just one starter pokemon. A little into the game you also get your choice of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle! (Charmander is unhealthily pale though... Just saying.) And the new Fairy type is introduced! This makes me very happy, not because I like fairies, but because it means the previously impenetrable Dragon-type has a weakness!

The battles were very impressive this time around! They play out more like the first Pokemon Stadium game. Better animations for attacks, more animated pokemon, and some neat camera movements. This is the first game where I haven't had the urge to turn off the battle animations.

All in all, I'm impressed and find the game a blast! I'm still excited about discovering some more new features of the games, but that about covers my thoughts on what I've seen so far. Well done, Nintendo and Pokemon Company!

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Well, this is my first official review, and I hope it's an informative and helpful one.

     The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart 

I had seen it at the bookstore pretty much every time I went there--and believe me, I go to bookstores a LOT. But, let's face it, the cover isn't exactly an eye-catching one, which is unfortunate since it's quite possibly one of the best stories I've read in a long time. (Let me state here that there is a reason I frequent bookstores so much. It's really something that can make a particular book stand out from ALL the others I've read.) Having dismissed it, mostly from the cover art, I was surprised when a friend recommended it to me. Now, this friend of mine has recommended quite a few books, movies, and music artists before, and I can't recall one time when I didn't enjoy whatever was recommended. So, naturally, I kept my eye out for it and purchased it. I put off reading it for a while, until, finally, picked it up to read.

The first few chapters were a little slow and the illustrations a bothersome, due to a slightly off perspective. It was a typical beginning really. An 11 year old, ordinary looking orphan who is much smarter than all the other children he knows, thus making him an outcast and friendless, sees a newspaper headline offering "special opportunities" for children just like him. He applies, along with tens of other children who all think they're special, and he's given a series of strange, confusing tests. Seemingly against all odds, he's the only child of his group to pass and is told to wait for the others. The others turn out to be a super smart nerdy boy, an energetic athletic girl, and a small cranky selfish girl who were the only ones of their group to pass.

As I said before, it started slow, but grabbed my attention when it's revealed that the children were chosen to form a team and go undercover to a school that's really a front for a madman's attempt to control the world. The more I read, the more I discovered that every single detail in Stewart's story is important. And I mean EVERYTHING. Things I thought were unimportant proved to be the key elements in the exciting climax. All of the characters are well thought out and three dimensional. Each of the children have their own strengths, quirks, and fears, all of which play an important role in the story. I'm always impressed when I find a story that has threads interwoven cleverly throughout the plot line, and this is one of the best examples I've seen so far. I couldn't put it down and even stayed up all night to finish reading it!

I can highly recommend this book, and am also happy to note that the book is very clean, with no inappropriate material or profanity. The Mysterious Benedict Society was a reminder for me not to "judge a book by its cover". This is definitely a must read for any story lover. :)